The treatment
Headache
It is a very common complaint. Twenty percent of all Dutch people experience headaches at least once a week. The cause of headaches is often unclear, but fortunately, they are rarely serious. Neck complaints, medication, sleep problems, stress, and insufficient exercise can influence headaches. If headaches recur frequently or persist for a long time, it is advisable to seek help. You can do this at your GP's practice or at the Paramedical Headache Treatment Center (PBH).
For whom
Adults and children with headaches or dizziness who have been referred by a general practitioner or specialist can register at the Paramedical Treatment Center for Headaches Haarlemmermeer. Additionally, it is possible to register for examination and treatment of headaches or dizziness via direct access to physiotherapy.
The treatment
Within neurology, headache is one of the most common conditions. General practitioners are regularly consulted for headache complaints. Physiotherapists and manual therapists are also frequently consulted for headache complaints. At the Paramedical Treatment Center for Headache, you will first receive a comprehensive intake. The manual therapist will then draw up a treatment plan, provide explanations and advice regarding headaches, and can employ specific treatment techniques to reduce neck pain and headaches. Treatment is performed based on a scientifically substantiated treatment protocol. Should the headache not be suitable for paramedical treatment, you will be referred back to the referring general practitioner or specialist.
In addition to treating people with headaches, the Paramedical Headache Treatment Centre initiates and participates in scientific research into headache in primary care in collaboration with the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and the Vrije Universiteit Antwerpen. You may be asked to participate in the research; participation is voluntary.
Various forms of headache
- Tension headaches (occurring in about 45-50% of people) usually feel as if a tight band is pressing or constricting around the forehead. It starts gradually and goes away gradually as well. It can last from minutes to days. The neck and shoulders are often also painful and tense. The pain does not worsen with exertion. However, light or sound can aggravate the pain. The pain is bothersome, but you are usually able to continue with your daily activities.
- Migraine (occurring in about 10% of people) is a moderate to severe, throbbing headache usually on one side of the head. A migraine attack lasts from 4 hours to 3 days. The headache worsens with exertion and is often accompanied by nausea or vomiting. During the attack, you often have difficulty tolerating light and sound. You prefer to sit or lie down quietly. It is often difficult to continue with your activities when you have a migraine. A migraine attack often announces itself shortly beforehand. For example, you may see shimmering lights or certain patterns of light. Some people smell distinctive odors just before an attack.
- Cervicogenic headache (occurring in 1-4% of cases) is a unilateral, mild form of headache originating from the neck that is dependent on posture and movement. The headache may increase or decrease as a result of neck activities. This type of headache is always accompanied by neck pain and/or shoulder and arm pain on the same side.
- Headaches caused by overuse of pain medication (occurring in about 3-5% of people). Any type of headache can worsen if you use painkillers regularly for months. For example, if you already use Paracetamol or an NSAID (such as Ibuprofen) more than 15 times a month; or if you use triptans as acute migraine medication more than 10 times a month (such as Maxalt, Sumatriptan, or Imigram).
- Headache after trauma: After an accident in which the head made contact (for example, with the ground during a fall) or in which the head made a sudden, rapid movement (such as in a car accident), symptoms may arise. These include nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and headache.
Ask at the pharmacy whether you are eligible for reimbursement of the medication roll by your health insurer.
Dizziness
Dizziness is common and can cause significant discomfort and limitations in daily life. It can also lead to uncertainty and anxiety if there is a great deal of ambiguity surrounding the dizziness. The cause is usually not serious.
Even though a clear diagnosis cannot always be established, treatment options are available. Often, no abnormalities are visible on a scan. Nevertheless, it can be beneficial to visit a (specialized) physiotherapist to see if treatment is possible.
The most common form of (rotational) dizziness is BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo). This dizziness often occurs when you lie down, turn over in bed, get out of bed, and often also when bending over and sometimes when looking up or looking around quickly. The resulting rotational dizziness is brief (approximately a maximum of 60 seconds) and can resolve spontaneously.
In addition, there are many other forms of dizziness, and various causes can often be identified. It is possible that different parts of the body important for a sense of stability are no longer communicating properly with each other, or that the vestibular system itself is functioning less effectively (hypofunction). Furthermore, fear of dizziness or falling can also play a role.
The body receives information about balance from various systems, namely the eyes, the ears, and the muscles and sensors in the feet and neck.
When there are abnormalities in the functioning of the above-mentioned organs, the vestibular system can receive incorrect information, which can lead to various symptoms, such as:
- rotational dizziness, lightheadedness, feeling of fainting
- motion instability
- difficulty focusing
- complaints in crowded spaces
- balance problems in the dark
The treatment
For the most common cause of dizziness, BPPV, the treatment is relatively short. Through various positions of the body and head, the debris is moved back to the correct place. Often, this is only necessary 1 to 3 times for complete recovery of symptoms.
However, if the complaints have multiple causes, it is useful to perform exercises that can help recover from and adapt to specific stimuli and movements. This set of exercises is called vestibular rehabilitation.
The exercises consist of, among other things, (a combination of) eye control, neck movements, and balance. These are short exercises that must be performed daily (multiple times) to expect results. This often happens within just a few weeks.
In most cases, medication for dizziness is not effective. However, medication can be prescribed for nausea and vomiting.
After a comprehensive intake and examination, the physiotherapist will draw up a customized treatment plan with you. There is always close contact with the general practitioner regarding the symptoms if the course deviates. In that case, we look at further (referral) options to address the symptoms or to investigate further.
For whom?
Adults and children with dizziness with or without a referral from a general practitioner or specialist.
Method
Dizziness is a common complaint. General practitioners and neurologists also frequently deal with it.
At the Paramedical Treatment Center for Headache Haarlemmermeer, you first receive a comprehensive intake. The specialized manual therapist then draws up a treatment plan based on the correct diagnosis.
The treatment is carried out based on a scientifically substantiated treatment protocol. Should the dizziness not be suitable for paramedical treatment, you will be referred back to the referring general practitioner or specialist.
We strive for optimal collaboration within the treatment team and with referrers.
Refer
Referrals can be sent by letter or via email (Zorgdomein, Zivver, or Zorgmail). When making a referral, we would appreciate receiving a referral letter containing the name of the patient concerned, the referrer, and the question.
Consultations
We attach great importance to good contact with referring physicians and involved doctors and are always open to consultation. Referring physicians and healthcare providers who wish to consult can contact us by telephone at 023 5540610. You can also send an email to the general email address fysio@gchaarlemmermeer.nl . We will then contact you as soon as possible.